Hi all!! I'm back again. Here's the next part of Dreams of an Angel. Hope you all enjoy it! Any comments or suggestions, well, you know how to contact me. My Yahoo ID is Goldenknightuk if you wish to send me an instant message. Sorry for any bad grammars boys and girl. C'mon! Nobody's perfect!! :)
Before the show, onwards to the boring part! Legal matters! Hehehe. You can press 'fast-forward' now.
Well, first of all, this story, as you will certainly find out soon, is TOTALLY fictional. So! If any of you truly believe in it... dude, I'm worried about you. Secondly! None of the guys in the Backstreet Boys are gay! (No matter how hard I wished it :P). But nobody say we couldn't dream it, heh heh. Thirdly, Warren Worthington is actually a character from Marvel Comics, X-men known as Angel or recently Archangel. Okay fine, I admit it. I'm bored and I am making a pathetic attempt to make life a lil' bit interesting. Its not like I'm gonna publish it or something. What else to talk about hmm? Oh, there may be some adult gay scenes in this story. Unlike my brother, I don't mind writing naughty stuff ;) so! If you're underage, naughty, naughty! I can only ask you to go away, but I cannot do anything else to stop you from reading on anyway. Hell! I've been sneaking into the internet to watch gay porns since I was 13! So, if your parents or whoever responsible for you catch you, don't say I didn't warned you. However, if you're homophobic... well maybe I can seduce you enough to turn you around heh heh. I do so love a challenge ;)
Anyway, enough talk. Any comments or boos or suggestion or whatever, just sent it to the same address as in NNTs, goldenknightuk@yahoo.co.uk . Yeah, we shared the same address. Don't ask. Long story.
Okay then! On to the show. Now, don't be shy now. If you got any comments or suggestions, just drop me a note. You do the request, and I'll do the show.
Andy
********************************* About 2 hours later...
"Ready Nick?"
Nick tucked the chain beneath his shirt and adjusted it one last time before turning around to face his new lover. His new lover! He still got the jitters whenever he thinks of that. The pendant felt cool against his skin.
He smiles as he watched Warren standing with his back facing him, staring at the world below. The wind is getting stronger up there on the peak and the moonlight seems to cast a silvery halo around the man. Getting ready for the long flight home, Warren unconsciously spread his wings apart and flapped it against the wind to stretch his muscles. The sight of those powerful strokes casting dust and snow into the air send pure thrills down his spine. Warren looks so fragile on the outside, and yet, there is unbelievable strength within him. It's so easy to be fooled by that mask of fragility. It takes someone who knows him very well to recognize that strength.
Warren turned around to face him and smiled. A strong gust of wind blew at that instant and golden locks swayed against the silvery moonlight. Nick smiled back and walked up to him. He laughed as Warren's powerful arm immediately wrapped around him as soon as he is within reach, and pulled him into a powerful hug.
"Took your own sweet time, didn't you?" Warren smiled as he gave Nick a gentle peck on the lips. His gaze fell on the half-hidden chain around Nick's neck, glinting softly against the moonlight. "It looks beautiful on you."
Smiling, Nick leaned forward and nuzzled his nose playfully against Warren's cheek.
"Flattery'll get you nowhere, y'know." Nick murmured seductively.
"Wanna bet?" Warren replied before leaning forward again and brushed his lips against Nick's, silently relishing the warmth and softness offered.
Nick's soft chuckles were immediately halted as the lips parted and almost immediately, a moan ensued as the kiss deepened. He tightened his hold on Warren's back and pushed him closer against his body. The passion and warmth that flow through the link seem to sweep them off into a world of their own, making them oblivious to everything else.
Neither seems to know how long they stayed like that. Neither cared. All they were aware of was the fact that at one point of time, a magical and blissful moment ensued and they were in pure heaven where only the two of them exist. But a moment later, the magical moment vanished and they were back into reality again. Can't such a moment stay on forever?
" Whew! I'll never get tired of that," Nick smiled between his gasps as they parted at last.
Warren beamed back at him as he took a moment of his own to pull himself together from the experience.
"I never thought kissing a guy could feel this good."
"Yeah!" Nick laughed in reply as he unconsciously reaches back to touch some of the feathers. "If I knew it's this good, I'd have switched side long time ago!"
They stared at each other's eyes silently for some moment. The link is open and their feelings and emotions flow freely through their mind. Together, they bask in each other's love in silence.
"Nick, do me a favor." Warren suddenly spoke. Nick gazed into those sky blue eyes knowingly.
"Leave the link open." They both spoke at the same time. Nick immediately burst into a giggle.
"This is getting spooky." Nick laughed.
"Yeah." Warren smiled. He leaned over and gave one last kiss on Nick's forehead. "Ready to go now? It's getting cold."
"What about the lantern? And the glasses and blankets?" said Nick as he turned around and Warren wrapped his arm around Nick. Together, they stood at the edge of the ledge, staring at the sleeping world below them.
"In the backpack. I've already packed them all up and hid it in that crack over them. No one ever come up here, so it'll be safe. Ready?"
Nick leaned against the warm body eagerly.
"Take me to heaven, Archangel."
Warren smiled and hugged him tighter. Slowly, he leaned forward and allowed them both to fall freely. Nick narrowed his eyes as the wind rushes past him. The world blurred again and his heart leaped excitedly as Warren unfurled his wings gracefully and spread it wide on each side, letting the wind carry them off into the air. One powerful flap ensues soon afterward, followed by another, and another... pretty soon; they are soaring into the night once again, dancing amongst the clouds and stars. The world slept on below them. Here and there, small dots of light glint amongst the shadow. But above the clouds, there is only calmness amidst the moonlight.
Cold night wind rushes by and Nick had never felt happier and free. Inside, their emotions flow freely though the link and they bask in each other's joy. Their love flow ceaselessly, a never ending river of warmth and affection, but another emotion now dominates their mind. A sense of freedom. A sense of joy.
Howie strode through the cold corridor of the complex silently, the only sound that could be heard came from the sole of his own shoes and those of his companions behind him - lawyers and loyal co-administrators of 'The Right' who agreed to accompany him for the survey of his latest project.
To be honest, he has no idea where this complex is located, save that it is somewhere in the middle of a desert, deep underground, inside an abandoned military complex. He arrived about half an hour ago via a private helicopter, along with Kirk. It was quite a bumpy ride but the refreshments provided in the lobby did make it worthwhile.
"Cheerful place." Howie murmured softly, raising an eyebrow as he watched the abandoned hallway littered with scraps of clothes, garbage and whatnot. Rats chittered here and there, followed by occasional scuttles. Drips of water echoed somewhere in the room and the smell of decay filled the air.
"The lab is not like this, I assure you, sir." Said the man wearing a white lab coat beside him. "This place was once a secret military biological research facility before they moved it to someplace else. This is only the upper part of the complex, where the crew quarters used to be located. The main part of the complex, plus the main lab is located deeper underground. Step into the lift, gentlemen."
Looking around the place with an obviously bored expression on his face, Howie stepped into the elevator. Scientists always irritate him for some hidden reason, but he won't complaint about it. As annoying as they can be, they are still useful and as long as they serve his purpose, he will tolerate their presence with no objections whatsoever. After all, you cannot hate everyone in this world.
The elevator gave one violent jerk before it starts to move. Cursing inwardly, he reaches out for the rusty metal bar beside him, holding it tightly to prevent himself from stumbling.
"Sorry about that." Their guide said dryly. "I forgot to warn you that the elevator tends to be a little bit bumpy."
Howie merely gave the man the usual blank look he always bestows on fools that he needs to tolerate. The amount of money he invested on this project has better be worth it!
After a while, the elevator stopped its descent and the door slide open.
"Follow me please, gentlemen." Said the scientist again and they walked down yet another damp corridor until they arrive before a huge metal door at the other end. The man punched the authorization code and almost immediately afterward, there is a loud metallic clank followed by the door swinging inwards to reveal the room on the other side.
"Welcome to our research lab, gentlemen." The scientist said at last as he strode into the massive complex.
For all of his opinions on scientist and the dismal state of the rooms and corridor upstairs, Howie couldn't help but feel impress at the sight of the room before him. Walking down the smooth carpeted ramp, he studies the room impassively.
A massive research lab greeted him as he stepped into the room. Here and there, dozens of computer panels, scanning, analytic and various other equipments lay scattered all over the room, each somehow connected to each other. Massive fluid filled glass tubes lined the wall on one side of the room - some contain the bodies of various mutant subjects acquired in the past to assist the research. To most people, such scene would be horrific. But to Howie and the rest of his present companions, they only dismiss it with a glance. These are after all, only mutants.
These are only the general description of a small portion of the main lab. The room extends on further down. Here and there, men and women wearing clean white lab coats wander around alone or in small groups, observing the readings of the various equipments and recording it accordingly on the small paper-containing pads in their hands. Armed uniformed security personnel walked slowly throughout the room and beyond, keeping a sharp eye on everything.
"This way please, gentlemen, to the conference room." Their scientist guide ushered on.
As a group, they make their way through the special walkways towards a small reception area where a group of scientists are waiting.
"Mr. Hendrickson! Welcome to our research facility." A middle-aged man with white hair strode forward towards them, arm outstretched in greeting. "I'm Dr. Derek Farshaw."
"Dr. Farshaw. It's good to finally meet you." Kirk greeted back as he shook the man's hand. "I believe you know Mr. Dorough here."
"Hi." Said Howie.
"Pleasure to finally meet you sir." Said Dr. Farshaw.
"It's an impressive place you got here, Dr. Farshaw." Said Howie as he looked around.
"Thanks to you, I should say. Without the funding contributed by you and 'The Right', none of this is possible." Said Derek before turning to introduce his companions. "These are the chiefs of all the research teams currently working with us. Gentlemen, meet Dr. Chen, Dr. Aisling, Dr. Ryan...."
Howie simply tuned out the rest as his mind wanders off to study a fluid filled glass tube near him. Unnoticed by the others, he eventually finds himself drifting slowly towards it. Within the dim-colored fluid within the tube, he could see a shadow and some movements. Curiously, he touched the glass to wipe off the little bit of droplets of it.
The fluid inside the tube is greenish-blue and bubbles of air seem to swirl around within it. There's too little light around him to see who or what is inside.
There was no warning. No hint of what was about to happen. As Howie leaned closer to examine the content of the tube closely, a hand appeared from within the gloomy depth of the tube, scratching and thumping against the glass wall. A second after that, a man's face appeared, his mouth and nose covered by a mask. His blue eyes looked at him pleadingly, begging to be freed. Surprised, Howie cursed as he backed away from the tube.
"Mr. Dorough, are you alright?" a quiet voice appeared behind him.
Turning around quickly, Howie gazed at the man before him. Well-build, dark hair and moustache, wearing a thin-rimmed glass, deep blue eyes, modest looking... There is something about those eyes... something... sinister. It's like an eye watching from the shadow, ready to pound at a moment of weakness. Glancing at the others, Howie noticed that the rest of the scientists are mingling about with Kirk and the rest, exchanging polite pleasantries.
"I'm sorry. I was... startled there for a moment. What is that thing in that tube over there?" said Howie.
"Mutant No. 184." The man replied mildly. "He has an interesting pyrokinetic ability. Mutant-hounds from 'The Right' found him somewhere in Kentucky, I believe and has been generous enough to hand him to us. He has been an interesting subject, I must admit."
Howie merely glance at the tube one last time before moving off.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. What is your name again?"
"Nathaniel. Dr. Nathaniel Essex." Said the man.
"Oh yeah. I think Dr. Farshaw mentioned you to me once on the phone. He claimed you to be a brilliant geneticist." Said Howie.
"I try my best." Nathaniel replied as he smiled. For some reason, there's something about this man that sent shivers down Howie's spine.
"Gentlemen," They both looked up at Dr. Farshaw as the man opened the door leading to the main conference hall. "Now that everyone has been introduced to each other, let us get to business at hand, shall we? Step inside, gentlemen. Dr. Chen and I shall brief you the details of this project as soon as everyone has settle down and then, we can move on to discuss matters of cost distributions and where we can go from here. We are on the verge of an important discovery, gentlemen. With X-Gene Neutralization technology in our hands, we will have developed a powerful weapon against all mutants. We can certainly expect every mutants in the world rushing here to stop us."
Throughout the presentation, Howie's eyes shifted continually to Dr. Essex. He simply couldn't figure out why the man unsettles him. His behavior is typical as the rest of the scientists but still...
"Kirk?" Howie whispered as he leans over to the man sitting next to him.
"Yeah?"
"Tell me what you know of Dr. Essex."
"Essex? Well... there's not much to tell. He worked in several research centers down throughout the years; the last was in Texas. Our agents confirmed all these accordingly. He doesn't have any family. He has no criminal record. And... no, he's not a mutant. The X-Gene detector would have detected it the moment he enter the room. I doubt that he's a mutant supporter. Most of the researches he got involved into are those that involved mutant subjects. Why do you ask?"
Howie remained silent in thought for a moment or two before answering. Nathaniel sat a little way off from him quietly; listening to the briefing with a somewhat bored expression on his face. At one time, he shifted his gaze towards Howie and smiled politely before returning back to the briefing at hand.
"I don't trust him." He said at last. "Keep a constant watch on him at all time, will you?"